Sea lions may be to blame in pelican wounding

Nature’s battle for survival played out in dramatic fashion off Avila Beach, California, when sea lions attacked some pelicans who were trying to feed on schooling fish.

State Department of Fish and Game wardens think sea lions may be responsible for a rash of pelican deaths at Port San Luis last week. Fifteen brown pelicans died after receiving severe chest wounds.

Warden Sean Kenady said a kayaker saw a sea lion repeatedly pull a pelican under water until it failed to resurface. The department also got an email from the animal rescue group, Wild Rescue, which said its members had seen that behavior in the past.